Welty Motor Co - Houston, Texas
 Charles Douglas Welty, eldest son of Charles W. and Stella R. Welty, was born Nov 24, 1899 in St. Joseph Mo. He attended the Musser, Webster and Central High Schools, where he was nick-named Chuck, which familiar name stuck to him through life. In April, 1917 when the United States entered the Word War, he enlisted voluntarily. (On his first examination he proved to be a few pounds under weight, which he made up in a day by drinking a great amount of water.) He was called to service Aug 5, 1917, sent to Fort Sill, Okla. where he joined Headquarters Co 139 Reg. Sailed for France in the spring of 1918 with the 35th Division. After Armistice was declared, he spent the winter in Commercy, France. Sailed home in April, 1919. Arriving at his home May 5th, 1919.
He was united in marriage to Mildred Helen Stout, daughter of Irving Hogland and Bertha Viola Stout, July 30, 1921. After the war he entered the automobile business. June 1925 he removed with his wife to Houston, Texas forming a business partnership with Alex Clark under the firm name of Alex Clark Motor Car Company, selling Hudson and Essex cars at the corner of San Jacinto and Walker streets. Upon the death of Mr. Clark, the dealership was renamed Welty Motor Co.
Corner of San Jacinto and Walker streets. - Photo courtesy Charles I. Welty.
(The building boom era of mid 1920 - 1936 for the Houston area probably benefited their business as well.)
Mr. Welty moved the business to 1701 Milam in 1932 and operated there until his death. Charles Douglas Welty passed May 7, 1953. Mr. Welty had a son, Charles Irving Welty, whom started working for the company in 1946 when he was discharged from the Marine Corps and later became a partner with his father. When the elder Mr. Welty died in 1953, younger Welty took over the dealership and liquidated it as the Hudson Motor Co. was not doing well financially and merged with Nash shortly after.
Photo courtesy Charles I. Welty of the showroom at Milam & Pease streets at the introduction of the 1949 Hudson. New-car introductions used to be social events, especially in small towns. Car dealers often had live music and refreshments (sometimes including champagne), and searchlights out front to beckon potential customers. That probably peaked in the '60s. In those days a specific introduction date was set, unlike today when new cars just drift into the dealerships and are displayed whenever they're delivered. All-new models were often kept under wraps (literally) in the back of the service department so that people couldn't see them until introduction day. How things have changed.
Notes: 1701 Milam address confirmed per July 1949 Southwestern Bell Greater Houston Telephone Directory
Suggested Links:
Vintage Houston Pics - See Main & Walker photo, only two blocks from the original dealership!
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